Texas pecan crop expected to top 50 million pounds

Pecan trees at the corner of Highway 28 and Watson Lane in Mesilla are being irrigated Sunday, July 2, 2017. Southern New Mexico farmers irrigate their orchards and fields with water from the Rio Grande, or groundwater from the Mesilla Bolson, when the river isn't running.(Photo: Robin Zielinski / Sun-News)

Stein said producers statewide face a variety of production hurdles, but so far 2017 looks to be an overall good year for pecans.

“The crop is good in spots and not so good in spots,” he said. “A lot of it is related to whether the producer had a big year last year and whether they did a good job taking care of the trees to produce a decent crop this year.”

Stein said pecan trees that produce large yields one year typically experience a dramatic drop in production the following year.

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Some Abilene pecan trees are loaded this summer, but heat is causing them to drop pecans.(Photo: Reporter-News staff photo)

“Too many pecans, or over-cropping, can be a challenge,” he said. “Producers need to manage crop loads and shake the trees to thin out their pecans a little. It’s like having too many mouths to feed, so to speak. Reducing the crop load makes for better kernel quality and reduces the stress on limbs and the tree overall.”

Stein said much of the state’s pecan production is concentrated in West Texas, around Fort Stockton and El Paso. Irrigation has been a necessity due to hot, dry conditions.

“Trees need 1 inch of water per week up to budbreak,” he said. “As the kernel is forming the trees will need 2 inches of water per week to have good fill. You get some of that from rain when you get it, but otherwise you have to irrigate.”